2020 GMC Sierra 1500
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 468 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 26 Sierra 1500 model years with reports.
Of the 2020 reports, 12 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 13 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, automatic transmission, control module, softwareFeb 12, 2026
General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, 3500, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles that may have been repaired incorrectly under recall 24V797. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up.
Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect the vehicles and update the transmission control software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 6, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252516560. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 12, 2026.
Campaign 26V083000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, control module, softwareOct 24, 2024
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.
Campaign 24V797000 on NHTSA.gov
Tires, temporary/emergency spare tireDec 16, 2021
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 GMC Sierra 1500 and Silverado 1500 vehicles equipped with certain accessory road tires and a 17" spare tire. The 17" spare tire provided with the vehicle is not compatible for use with the accessory wheels, which can cause the anti-lock brake system (ABS) to not function properly under certain conditions.
An ABS system that does not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.
Dealers will provide a new 17" spare tire and wheel assembly that is compatible with the accessory wheels, free of charge. Dealers will also apply a new spare tire information label, and provide owners with an owner's manual insert clarifying which spare tire to use with the accessory road tires and with the 17" original tires. Owner notification letters were mailed February 7, 2022. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212346510.
Campaign 21V985000 on NHTSA.gov
TiresFeb 25, 2021
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.
Campaign 21V115000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat beltsDec 17, 2020
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon XL and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The seat belt brackets may not be secured to the seat frame in the front-row center seating position.
If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect left-side and right-side front-row center seat-belt bracket attachments and reassemble it correctly as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202314670.
Campaign 20V792000 on NHTSA.gov
TiresNov 5, 2020
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with Continental tires that were overcured.
Overcured tires may experience a carcass break in the sidewall resulting in a sudden air loss or could develop a belt edge separation which could lead to partial or full tread/belt loss. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect vehicles and replace tires that have DOT number and production mold number combinations identified by Continental, free of charge. The recall began December 17, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202319030.
Campaign 20V684000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, driveline, driveshaftOct 22, 2020
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 and 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 trucks. One of the driveshaft joints may not have been properly welded, causing the driveshaft to separate while the vehicle is moving.
If the driveshaft separates, there may be a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N202314870.
Campaign 20V650000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/window, curtain, inflatorJul 30, 2020
General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5 and XT6, Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500 and Traverse and GMC Acadia and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The diffuser component of the Roof-Rail Air Bag (RRAB) inflator may not have been properly crimped to the inflator and could separate from the inflator during air bag deployment.
If the diffuser separates from the inflator during deployment, RRAB performance may be degraded, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect RRAB modules, free of charge. The recall began September 3, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N202305380.
Campaign 20V446000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, disc, caliperFeb 27, 2020
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The bolts used to attach the front and/or rear brake calipers may have not been heat treated and may break under load.
Broken caliper bolts can reduce brake performance or interfere with wheel rotation and increase the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake caliper bolts, free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-866-522-9559. GM's number for this recall is N202294420.
Campaign 20V116000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, 12v/24v/48v battery, cablesDec 12, 2019
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks. The battery positive (B+) cable rings may have been manufactured with excessive glue, potentially causing an intermittent electrical connection between the B+ cable and alternator.
An intermittent electrical connection between the B+ battery cable and the alternator could cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash. The intermittent connection could also lead to electrical arcing, which could generate sufficient heat to damage surrounding material, increasing the risk of a fire.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect for the presence of glue or other contamination at the B+ cable attachment to the alternator and clean the connection and reattach the B+ cable connection, as necessary. If arcing has damaged the cable, nut, or alternator, the dealer will replace the damaged components. All services will be performed free of charge. GM issued owners an interim notification on February 4, 2020. GM issued second notice and the recall began March 9, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192273510.
Campaign 19V888000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpNov 21, 2019
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Camaro, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump may be missing a pressure regulator, allowing for over-pressurization of the fuel system.
Over-pressurization can crack the fuel pump and cause leaks, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2019. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192283991.
Campaign 19V837000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, pretensionerNov 14, 2019
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, and 2020 Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles equipped with carpet floor covering. When the front seat belt pretensioners deploy, hot gas may vent through an opening in the pretensioner bracket, possibly igniting the carpet.
A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will close off the opening in the pretensioner bracket, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192270600.
Campaign 19V814000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
248 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Jun 11, 2025
I took my 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 to the dealership after Cylinder #5 seized while driving, and I was forced to replace the entire engine. At the time, I contacted the dealer and was told there was no recall related to this issue. However, I have since learned that GMC has issued a recall for similar engine problems affecting 2021–present Sierra 1500 models, but not for my 2020 model year. I believe this issue may be related and would like further investigation and consideration.
Engine, Jun 9, 2025
Vehicle currently has 104K and needs a 3rd engine. The same issue happened to the second engine as the first. While Driving the engine just stop working. They say it is a problem with the camshaft. Metal gets into the transmission and that also has to be replaced. A vehicle engine should not just stop working! Especially on an interstate. GMC refuses to add this engine to the recall list. However, I don't understand how the safety of families can continue to be placed in jeopardy.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment and the vehicle then failed to exceed 30 MPH. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who were unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 8, 2025
Transmission has slipped and shuddered multiple times. We have had it diagnosed at gmc dealership and our mechanic, advising that it is 8L90 transmission failure. It will slip to lower gear abruptly, causing for possible safety issues especially on the highways.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 7, 2025
1. On 05/9/25, the exhaust emissions system malfunctioned, triggering diagnostic trouble code P2C7A (exhaust emissions system failure). This repair, the seventh attempt since June 2024, addressed the same recurring emissions issue previously involving replacements of components such as the NOx converter (02/18/25, 03/13/24) and EGR valve (02/18/25). The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. 2. The P2C7A failure risks limp mode, reducing vehicle power unexpectedly, which is hazardous on highways, especially while towing. Exhaust emissions system malfunctions release excessive pollutants, posing environmental and health risks to others. 3. Yes, the P2C7A code was confirmed by dealer during the 05/9/25 repair, following prior confirmations (e.g., 03/31/25–04/05/25. 4. The vehicle was inspected by Young Chevrolet-Cadillac during multiple repairs (e.g., 03/31/25, 05/9/25). 5. Yes, the check engine light and OnStar emissions alerts appeared prior to the 05/9/25 repair, first noted ~June 2024 (P2C7A onset). Exhaust smell and reduced fuel economy were observed intermittently. Symptoms persisted post-03/31/25 repair, leading to the 05/23/25 service.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 3, 2025
Loss of power steering. Loss of engine propulsion at high rates of speed. Engine would not start.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 3, 2025
Hi I have always taken good care of my 2020 gmc Sierra 1500 at4 6.2 Kept up with its regular and recommended maintenance. I had no warning signs on the dash. So it surprised me that while on my way to work early one morning I was getting off the highway exit and the truck lost power, my steering wheel hardened and it posed a great threat to my life and others on the road, as it suddenly decelerated in a area where people are driving at accelerated speeds. The whole truck was loosing power and shaking hard as I attempted to steer it to a safe location on the side of the road. Had a mechanic inspect it and they determined The truck ended up with a seized engine. I have since not been able to use my truck for 8 months and still currently paying monthly payments of 1000 to pay it off.
Engine, Jun 1, 2025
Lifter failure at around 102-103k miles, was doing a random misfire and transmission studder ( due to the dfm system activating, cutting down cylinders to save fuel while driving, this was happening since approx 59k miles, dealership and gm was aware of it and they said it was normal, but that normal misfire turned into a failed lifter causing misfire and studder. I ended up replacing the lifters myself put solid lifters and a new camshaft that would eliminate the dfm system and studder, ran good no studder and random misfire, and now my crankshaft or oil pump is bad which I will remove motor to furthermore inspect. I’ve read forums and stuff where people would get a lifter job done and then soon after couple thousand miles later the motor goes bad. The 5.3 motors have bad crankshafts, oil pump and lifters just like the 6.2lt motors. After the lifter and cam repair, it ran good for couple thousand miles shortly after My gmc threw an “oil pressure low turn off vehicle code”, turned off vehicle immediately and checked oil, verified oil was good. Gm will not cover it because of it being way out of warrenty when I had issues with random misfire around approx 70-78k miles, and to note that my cat converter went back when lifter failed aswell. Also to note that when the lifters fails it throws a speed reduced to 55 mph, traction off, steering assist reduced, and brakes reduced, this is a safety hazard and also it will drain the battery and cannot start it if you pull over on the side of the road and turned it off and on again to make it back home.
Engine, May 31, 2025
Misfire alerts causing major motor repairs
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, May 29, 2025
TRANSMISSION SHURTTING, JERKS, AND VIBRATION, BAD TORQUE CONVERTER BUBBLE AND PELLING PAINT. IT FEEL LIKES ENGINE IS LOSSING POWER
Engine, May 29, 2025
My 5.3 engine spun a bearing on the crank. Same exact problem the 6.2 got recalled for. Now if I put a used engine in it’ll cost me around $6,000.
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 27, 2025
6.2 liter engine fail- replaced at new cost, 20,000 miles later another 6.2 engine failed. unable to get new engine due to GMC finally recalling the engine. My VIN is not included in the recall. I now have no vehicle to drive but still have a loan to pay.
Engine, May 25, 2025
Driving at freeway at 65mph, suddenly is air noise like air conditioning blows air at high fan speed, than the dash info shows (Engine Power is Reduce) try to accelerate to pull out of lanes, and it did not, keep losing speed, as slowly move lanes to the right of freeway, and then exit.. This is the second time of this incident, first time under warranty, dealer fix transmission first time, then two months later, the tansmission was replace wit a newone, now is passed warranty, had the car taken to dealer, they gave me and estimate of more then $10,000 to fix the vehicle, this happen on May 21, 2025...
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, May 22, 2025
Engine Light came on, performance rough at various speeds / conditions, and smelled like burning and strong urea smell. GM Maintenance identified a failed DEF injector / replaced
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, May 22, 2025
Engine light would come on for a few days and than turn itself off. this occurred for about 8/9 months; however, instructed by the GM Maintenance department that if the vehicle came in and the light turned off before they got to it i would be charged for the diagnosis and no work would be performed. Engine light came on and i was able to park the vehicle / they picked it up and read it prior to putting in their lot until a tech became available. GM Maintenance was able to diagnosis that there was an issue with the EGR sensor and NOx catalytic converter without filter failed / both items replaced
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, May 22, 2025
Vehicle was going in for warranty recall; however, i requested they look at the DEF system as my DEF gauge would bounce between full and empty; along with, alert me of going into LIMP mode. GM Maintenance updated the recall and noticed that the DEF tank sensor failed and required to be replaced.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, May 22, 2025
Engine light came on and real bad urine smell / burning coming from the vehicle / rough performance. This issue occurred at various speeds / trips / drive types with the only variation being speed from 25MPH to 75MPH. Vehicle went in to discover that the reductant control module software (RCM) out of date, and two NOx sensor failures
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 22, 2025
No warning; picking up child from daycare. went to depart daycare when my dash lit up like a Christmas tree with various errors, alerts, warnings; along with, not being able to start. had to be picked up by spouse and get the truck towed to the dealership for maintenance. Maintenance tech discovered that the grounding straps for the truck needed to be replaced / resulting in a complete electrical failure of the vehicle.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, May 22, 2025
Vehicle Stuck in gear. Dealership was delivering the car back to myself when about a mile out from my house when the vehicles made a sudden downshift and was stuck back in gear. Driver called and notified me that it was on its way back to the shop for further work
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, May 22, 2025
Vehicle drop in gear / down shift while driving on the highway. went from 75MPH down to 55MPH due to high RPM revs.
Engine, May 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked while accelerating and while coming to a stop. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but no cause of failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
Engine, May 20, 2025
Engine started rough idle, reduced power, poor acceleration, ticking and knocking noises, and a check engine light and a few other lights came on the dash. Safety was not a risk at time of incident. Problem has NOT been diagnosed yet BUT have done a ton of research and it’s all leading towards lifter failure/misfire issues. No warning lights or symptoms prior to sudden problems.
Engine, May 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle vibrated abnormally. The engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that on another occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, a cause for the failure was not found. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred and the contact stopped driving the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
Power train, Engine, May 19, 2025
This car had lifter motor failure at 135K miles and Transmission failure at 145k miles, the torque converter of this truck is the culprit of many issues as the lifter issues.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, May 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal popping sound. The check engine and the ABS warning lights were illuminated. The messages "Parking Brake Service" and "ESC Service" were displayed. Additionally, the contact stated the vehicle experienced a reduced fuel range. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the lifters had fractured, causing damages to the engine. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced, and the part was ordered. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE25001 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,100.